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CA Regulations / Re: Proposed 2024 Groundfish Regulation Change Summary (3/22/2024)
« on: March 28, 2024, 01:13:46 PM »Just for me personally, I've caught a lot more verms in recent years than prior. Last year probably more than any other single year. But, I could have just gotten better at fishingQuote4. Vermillion limit reduction to 2-sub bag limit in all areas except Northern Groundfish Management Area, which has a 4-sub bag limit.
Is there a data based reason for this change? I have a feeling that it's exploratory management.
Curious, why do you have that feeling?
-Allen
So for your sample size of 1, your data suggests that we should increase the verm limit. Got it.
All the data is here, https://www.pcouncil.org/documents/2022/01/the-status-of-vermilion-rockfish-sebastes-miniatus-and-sunset-rockfish-sebastes-crocotulus-in-u-s-waters-off-the-coast-of-california-north-of-point-conception-in-2021-december-2021.pdf/
And yes, since 2000 the fishery has steadily been improving, going from below the minimum target level, to crossing over the maximum target level in 2015. So yeah, it is understandable your increased verm success. The current concern is effort shift increasing the catch too much, pushing the population back down below threshold.
-Allen